2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, which originated from the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept first introduced in 2013. This update included new lighting elements, most notably the light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo.

All Atlas trim levels received new wheel designs for 2024, with the base SE model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, while most other trims sported 20-inch wheels. The SEL Premium R-Line boasted 21-inch wheels and sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised interior with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design that contrasted with its truck-like exterior. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved materials, although some areas, like the center console stitching, appeared less refined.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not appeal to everyone, those who appreciated its looks likely found other aspects of the Palisade appealing as well. Hyundai offered the 2024 Palisade in various trims, including SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition. Prices ranged from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the $1,395 destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition, with its blacked-out appearance, featured a mix of dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels, available in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors paired with a black interior featuring leather with artificial suede inserts.

The Night Edition's interior exuded luxury with an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated design elements. The Palisade's interior felt like that of a luxury SUV, offering a premium experience in a mass-market midsize family SUV. The Calligraphy Night Edition test vehicle, with its extra-cost Hyper White paint and carpeted floor mats, had an MSRP of $55,930. Overall, the Palisade's design and interior features contributed to its appeal as a standout choice in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. It replaced the previous VR6 engine, which delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The new turbo-four engine, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The additional torque, peaking at 1,550 rpm, made the 2024 Atlas quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving 0 to 60 mph in an estimated eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds.

Despite these improvements, the Atlas remained a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort and efficiency over performance. The engine provided smooth acceleration, but it generated more noise than power. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh Atlas, and the Peak Edition's all-terrain tires and Offroad driving mode catered to light off-road adventures. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an AWD option available. The Palisade's maximum towing capacity matched the Atlas at 5,000 pounds, and it offered eight inches of ground clearance. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, allowed for versatile performance. The AWD system could be locked for off-road use, but the Palisade was better suited for less challenging terrain.

The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, with the transmission consistently in the right gear. The AWD system effectively distributed power on dirt and gravel roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for AWD models, though real-world testing averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode. The Palisade's suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent visibility and a top-down surround-view camera aiding city driving. On winding roads, the Palisade displayed surprising agility, maintaining predictable handling and effective braking. Overall, the Palisade delivered a pleasant driving experience, with fuel economy being its least appealing aspect.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL trim. The Atlas offered seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The third-row bench was standard across all trims.

The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third-row legroom being the best in its class. However, second-row passengers had slightly less room compared to other crossovers. Cargo space varied from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, with the base SE trim featuring cloth seats and higher trims offering H-Tex artificial leather, real leather, or premium Nappa leather. Heated eight-way power-adjustable front seats were standard on all but the SE trim, with additional features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and memory settings available on higher trims. The Calligraphy Night Edition included an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver.

The Palisade's interior provided configurable storage, with a console-top tray, a large storage bin, and a wireless smartphone charger. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the top trims included heated third-row seats and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade's third row was more comfortable and spacious than most rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The hands-free power tailgate, starting with SEL trim, offered convenience but could be turned off if not needed. Cargo space ranged from 18 cubic feet behind the third row to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas featured more standard tech, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with six USB-C ports available. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims, and the premium audio system switched to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon setup. The infotainment system offered a map view in the digital instrument cluster, but haptic touchpads for controls were less user-friendly.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with the SEL Premium package or higher trims. All Palisades had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional features included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display offered comprehensive data, though it didn't work well with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS hadn't released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high scores except for a "Marginal" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. The Atlas included more standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. The Palisade Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night Edition offered three layers of blind-spot safety. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete, with top ratings for side-impact collisions and a four-star rollover resistance rating.